Overview of Academic Renewal
Any former undergraduate Appalachian State University student who:
has not attempted any courses at App State for a minimum of one (1) calendar year (including summer terms)
has a cumulative GPA below 2.50
has not used a Forgiveness Policy or Academic Renewal previously
may apply for readmission to the University and use Academic Renewal.
Academic Renewal allows a student to retain all earned credit as well as exclude all course grade values below a C/2.00 from their cumulative, major and minor GPA calculations. Students wishing to return to App State using Academic Renewal must apply for readmission and send official college transcripts from all accredited institutions attended after leaving App State. Students considering readmission under Academic Renewal are required to speak with an advisor prior to completion of their readmission application to determine if pursuit of Academic Renewal is in their best interest.
Defining Academic Renewal
Getting started and completion of Academic Renewal
Prior to and during the Academic Renewal period, students will be required to work closely with an academic advisor, or designated college representative, to determine if Academic Renewal is an appropriate method of reentry into App State. Programmatic policies must be reviewed to ensure that all degree/department/college requirements would be feasible (e.g. Admission to Teacher Education, Admission to the Walker College of Business, etc.)
As defined within this guide, continued contact with an assigned advisor, or designated college representative, is required to monitor progress towards Academic Renewal and to certify Academic Renewal eligibility once the renewal period is complete.
Stipulations:
Students may only use the Academic Renewal once in their undergraduate academic career.
Students must not attend Appalachian State University for at least one calendar year prior to returning to complete Academic Renewal.
Only students who have a cumulative GPA below 2.50 may use Academic Renewal unless such permission is granted by the Dean or Associate Dean or designee of their college.
Students are not required to take any courses while away from App State. However, if a student attends any other institution while away, they must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better on all coursework attempted.
Only courses 1) with an earned grade of C/2.0 or better, 2) that can be used toward degree requirements, and 3) that do not repeat a course for which credit has been earned previously at App State will be eligible for transfer.
In instances where students do not meet the GPA qualifying criteria listed above (in residence or through transferable credit), the Dean of the their intended/declared major may provide an exception to allow the use of the Academic Renewal (e.g. student has since completed another degree - Associates or Bachelors).
Academic Renewal does not override specific grade requirements for specific courses, individual colleges/schools, or departments/programs.
Students returning within University College (UC) should discuss major declaration restrictions with their UC advisors.
After the designated time away, students must undertake an Academic Renewal Period.
Any grade forgiveness courses or career drops used during the Academic Renewal period will count toward the total allowed.
Defining the Academic Renewal Period
Successful completion of at least 12 hours of coursework, with at least six hours in the major discipline (if their major is declared when they readmit under Academic Renewal) with a minimum 2.5 term GPA.
- For students seeking a double major, the required six hours in the major discipline will need to be discussed with the Academic Renewal advisor/college designated representative with assistance from the advising team supervisor for the primary major.
- For students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies, the required six hours in the major discipline will need to be discussed with the Academic Renewal advisor/college designated representative.
If attending part-time, a minimum 2.5 GPA is required each term until the minimum 12 hours of coursework (6 of which must be in the major discipline for declared majors) has been reached.
- Part-time students are defined for these purposes as students who are registered for less than twelve hours for a fall or spring semester (six hours for a summer semester) at the end of the drop/add period.
To promote a successful return for students returning to App using Academic Renewal, students will be required to participate in meetings and high quality practices/activities as stipulated in the agreement created with their Academic Renewal advisor or designated college representative. Options for sessions/activities include but are not limited to: appointments with their assigned college advising unit, appointments within the Student Learning Center's (SLC) array of resources, or other academic coaching/student success-centric activities as approved by their college-level advisor or designated college representative.
Academic Renewal Processing Timeline
During the readmission process, students must meet with a designated University College advisor, college-level advisor, or designated college representative. Faculty advisors must refer students seeking academic renewal to the college advising team. During the advising session, the advisor/ designated college representative and student will discuss Academic Renewal to determine if this method of reentry to the University is in the best interest of the student.
If deemed appropriate, the advisor/designated college representative will verify that Academic Renewal has been selected as the method of reentry and approve the advising requirement for readmission. If the advisor/designated college representative and student decide that an older policy is more beneficial and the student qualifies to use an older policy, the advisor/designated college representative will alert the Registrar’s office via the readmission portal notes along with a follow up email to readmission@appstate.edu
Coding upon reentry
During readmission, students may select Academic Renewal for their return
This will be identified with an “RP” (Renewal Policy) code within the Readmission Advising Portal in AppalNet Self-Service
Students must sign an agreement (see below) to the terms stated above (under “Defining Academic Renewal) as created with assistance from their advisor or designated college representative during the readmission process.
Only after satisfying the above stated requirements will Academic Renewal be granted.
All course credits previously earned are kept. All grades below a C will be changed to “XG” meaning they will not be included in any GPA calculations. Any remaining grades and grades completed after return will be averaged to generate a new cumulative GPA. (Previously earned grades below C/2.0 show up in University databases as “XG” accompanied by the original grade earned and are visible on a student’s transcript.)
After the Academic Renewal Period, the student may graduate without earning additional credit if all degree requirements have been satisfied.
Failure to meet all terms outlined in the agreement will result in the denial of Academic Renewal.
If Academic Renewal is denied the student’s academic standing will be assessed under current academic standing guidelines.
Students who have an Academic Suspension (AS) standing and who have not met the terms of Academic Renewal may continue at App State to raise their GPA by taking summer courses at App State.
Any grade forgiveness courses or career drops used during the Academic Renewal period will count toward the total allowed.
Special Considerations for Students & Advisors
- Students returning under Academic Renewal are considered for financial aid eligibility upon completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students not making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) towards the completion of a degree also need to complete a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form to be considered for financial aid eligibility.
- More information on SAP and the appeal form can be found at financialaid.appstate.edu.
- Students using the Academic Renewal Procedure will not be eligible for University Latin Honors at graduation.
- Once the minimum GPA qualifiers are met for Academic Renewal and grades have been updated accordingly, a minimum C/2.0 cumulative GPA is required to remain in good academic standing and for graduation unless the student's chosen major has a higher GPA requirement.
- Upon successful completion of the Academic Renewal process, the student will carry over any remaining terms of probation, grade forgiveness (repeat) allowances, and career drops.
- Students who have stopped out (taken time away from App State - not including summer sessions) prior to Fall 2023 may be grandfathered into the One- or Two-Year Forgiveness policies if deemed more beneficial and approved by their college advisor/designated college representative. Students must have been in attendance at App State prior to Fall 2023 during an active catalog year that is not older than ten years
- Consideration for Incomplete and Dropped Coursework during Academic Renewal
- Should a full time student drop a course that is part of their Academic Renewal Agreement and results in less than twelve hours for the semester or less than 6 hours in the major discipline (if major is declared), that student will be viewed as a part time Academic Renewal student and may continue on Academic Renewal until Academic Renewal terms are complete provided they achieve a 2.50 semester GPA or higher in all Academic Renewal semesters
- Should a full time student receive an incomplete grade in a course that is part of their Academic Renewal agreement and results in completion of less than twelve hours for the semester or less than 6 hours in the major discipline (if major is declared), that student will be viewed as a part time Academic Renewal student and may continue on Academic Renewal until Academic Renewal terms are complete provided they achieve a 2.50 semester GPA or higher in all Academic Renewal semesters.
- Should the incomplete grade be submitted and the student’s semester GPA drop below the required 2.50 semester GPA, the student will not qualify for Academic Renewal. If their cumulative GPA is above a 2.0, they will be permitted to continue as an enrolled student. However, Academic Renewal grade forgiveness will not be granted.